Although Linux distro's can be installed on a computer, the PS3 came along with the OtherOS feature and Linux was readily available (untill Sony later decided to remove the OtherOS feature from the slim models and a update for the fat models )

fast forward to 2011 and now OtherOS has made it's return, now with more distributions to chose from.
this guide shows you how to run any PowerPC based Linux distro on a PS3. [/p]

Requirements

A PS3 with 16mb NAND (ones with 256mb NAND won't work) see spoiler to find out which NAND you have

Step 1. Download any Linux distro for the PowerPC x64 architecture, and burn to disc. The 3 most popular when it comes to the PS3 are.

Ubuntu: the world most popular Linux distrobution, it is easy to use and comes with many programs for users to get started.

Arch Linux: A distribution that's fast and lightweight, it comes with all the essentisals and nothing more, the rest is up to the user to decide what to have.

Yellow Dog Linux (YLD) : A distribution that was made specifically for the PS3, again easy to use and everything works out-of-the box. [/p]

step 2. Download BootOSPetitboot (bootos-v3.0-petitboot.pkg) A modified version of kmeaw's bootOS that uses the petitboot bootloader instead of
asbestOS. If you already have kmeau's bootOS then you need to uninstall it first before proceeding any further, to uninstall go over to the game section, then scroll down to the installed bootOS, then press triangle and then delete.

Step 3. Next download the lv2 patcher ver9 (lv2_v9.pkg)

place the 2 .pkg files on the root of a USB storage device, then proceed to install them via the CFW xmb. Run the BootOS installer, then
attach your external hard drive at this point.

Step 4. Insert your burned disc, then run the lv2 patcher, which should run petitboot, it will take a few minutes, so grab yourself a drink.

Step 5. from then on, the process should be fairly simple, install the distro then follow the on screen instructions, when you get to the partitioning screen, make sure to format your EXTERNAL HDD, not your internal HDD.

and thats it, you should have a fully working Linux distro on your PS3

I've always been intrigued by using my PS3 as a OS similar to windows. Would it be faster than my shitty 512mb RAM on my computer at the moment? Is it anywhere at all supported as much as Windows? Won't Sony just remove it again when they want?

I've always been intrigued by using my PS3 as a OS similar to windows. Would it be faster than my shitty 512mb RAM on my computer at the moment? Is it anywhere at all supported as much as Windows? Won't Sony just remove it again when they want?

Click to expand...

PowerPC architecture's are becoming less common so your not likely to get the latest version of a distro.

it should be faster than your computer (you've only listed your RAM, so im taking a vague guess here)
but it hasn't got full RSX access, which should of made it even faster.
and remember that this is done in CFW so Sony could make a update, to remove OtherOS but as long as you don't then nothng is lost ( apart form PSN access)